The 6,714m high Mt. Kailash raises above the Plane of Burang and has is the world's most holy place at the same time that it is the least visited. Hindus believe Mt.Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The Jains call the mountain Astapada and believe it to be the place where Rishaba, the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained liberation. Followers of Bon, Tibet's pre-Buddhist, shamanistic religion, call the mountain Tise and believe it to be the seat of the Sky Goddess Sipaimen. The Buddha is believed to have magically visited Kailash in the 5th century BC. Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow', and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog and his consort, Dorje Phagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rimpoche are believed to be the homes of the the Bodhisatvas Manjushri, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshvara.

Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Gurla Mandata

Swayambhunath or "The Monkey Temple" in Kathmandu

Swayambhunath or The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Swayambhunath or The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

In the Tibetan part of Kathmandu

Swayambhunath or The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

Simikot dirt airstrip

The start of the trail to China from Simikot

Western Nepal - a village close to Simikot

The distinct look of people from Western Nepal

Salt traders - little goats carry bags with salt from Tibet

The traders use horses and mules for their trade with Tibet

Navigating steep trails can be difficult for the mules

Hospitality along the trail

Smoking a traditional pipe

Smoking something stronger than the traditional pipe

Goat herder

At the military checkpost - we are approaching the border area close to China

Dinner time - it was very wet and cold. We were all very appreciative of little heat.

We had wet and cold conditions. Also muddy!

The approach to the Nara La Pass, the mud and rain turned into snow and ice.

Nara La Pass 4,507m - the last pass in Nepal. The traders use Yaks to transport goods from Tibet to Nepal

Nara La Pass 4,507m and the caravan of yaks returning from Tibet.

We arrived in Hilsa cold and wet.

Descent from Nara La Pass 4,507m to Hilsa, the border outpost in Nepal

Tibetan roads back then. The road from Hilsa to Burang.

The Himalayas on the border of Nepal, India and China

An old stupa and the Himalayas on the border with Nepal, India and China

Dhaulagari 6,838m in Western Nepal on the border of Nepal, China and India

Jokopahar 6,744m in Western Nepal on the broder of Nepal, Tibet and India

The Chinese outpost of Burang

Gurla Mandata

Lake Rakshastal at 4,590m which is connected to Lake Manasarovar

Lake Rakshastal at 4,590m which is connected to Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar at 4,590m. According to the Hindus, the lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma after which he manifested on Earth.

Lake Manasarovar. The Buddhists beleive that this is where the Lord Buddha was conceived. The lake has a few monasteries on its shores, the most famous is the ancient Chiu Gompa built on a steep hill overlooking the lake. Swimming in the lake is supposed to wash away all the sins. Many Indian pilgrims come to this lake to swim.

Lake Manasarovar and the barren hills of Tibet

Lake Manasarovar

The stupas and a lone guesthouse on the hills overlooking Lake Manasarovar

Chiu Gompa built in the 8th century.

Chiu Gompa

Chiu Gompa - the main gate

The stupas overlooking Lake Manasarovar. The stones have inscriptions of Buddhist prayers (they are called Mani Stones). The yak horns are also carved with prayer inscriptions (Om Mani Padme Hum).

Mani stones on the shore of Lake Marasoravar

Prayer wheels

An old prayer wheel powered by wind blades. The silence is broken by the sound of the wind and the squeaks of the wind-powered prayer wheel. For one of the holiest places on Earth it had a very remote and secluded feel.

The symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. Emptiness and the wind.

Endless horizons

The endless horizon of Western Tibet - a very special place - Nanda Devi is very close. It is another holy mountain located on the Indian side of the range.

Gurla Mandata

The ceremonial area of Mt. Kailash.

Mt. Kailash. A place where the sky burial ceremonies are performed. A sky burial is a dismemberment of a dead body with knifes and feeding it to the vultures. In this part of Tibet, there is no wood to burn the dead.

Mt. Kailash on the right. The beginning of the outer Kora.

One of a few monasteries dotting Mt. Kailash.

Mount Kailash, the western flank.

Mt. Kailash - western flank. It has these unreal rock formations.

The yaks carrying supplies to the monastery at the back side (north) of Mt. Kailash.

A tea house on the Kora of Mt. Kailash.

Om Mani Padme Hum - approaching the north side of Mt. Kailash

The Dirapuk Monastery at the north side of Mt. Kailash.

Mount Kailash north side

At the Dirapuk monastery at the north side of Mount Kailash at 5,080m.

At the Dirapuk Monastery, a typical western Tibetan attire and facial features of the Tibetan Khampa (nomad).